Filling element

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a filling element for a filling system or for a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material. The filling element has at least one liquid channel designed in a filling element housing, which channel forms at least one discharge opening for the liquid filling material and can be connected to a source for providing the liquid filling material or a component of said filling material, at least one liquid valve in the at least one liquid channel for the controlled discharge of the filling material or the component at the discharge opening, and a gas barrier, which, when the liquid valve is closed, prevents the filling material from continuing to flow or drip, and for that purpose forms at least one flow channel having a reduced cross-section.

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble ofpatent claim 1 as well as to a filling machine according to the preambleof patent claim 15.

Filling elements for filling machines are known in various differentembodiments and consist essentially of a filling element housing havingat least one liquid channel which is connected to a tank for providingthe liquid product or filling material, or a component of this productor filling material, and at least one discharge opening for thecontrolled dispensing of the filling material into the container to befilled (e.g. bottle) as a function of the activation of a filling orliquid valve disposed in the liquid channel.

In particular it is known for filling elements to be provided at theirdischarge opening, or in the direction of flow of the filling materialbefore the discharge opening, with so-called gas barriers which afterthe end of the particular filling operation and after the liquid valvecloses prevent the filling material from continuing to flow or drip froma partial space of the filling element, said partial space being formedby a section of the liquid channel downstream of the liquid valve in thedirection of flow of the filling material. With known filling elements,these gas barriers are usually executed as strainer-like inserts forminga plurality of strainer or flow channels for the liquid fillingmaterial, with the number and size of individual surfaces of thecross-sections of the flow channels being selected so that when theliquid valve is closed the filling material is held back in the partialsection of the liquid channel in particular by its surface tension ininteraction with the ambient pressure, and in order that fillingmaterial does not continue to flow or drip through the respective gasbarrier.

All known gas barriers have the disadvantage that they clog up more orless frequently during the filling of products, for example drinks,having solid constituents or suspended solids such as pulps, fibres(including fruit fibres) etc. This is due among other things to the factthat the strainer-like structure necessarily forms webs or surfaces orstructures which run square to the direction of flow or main directionof flow of the filling material and on which more solid constituents(solids, such as pulp, fibres including fruit fibres etc.) becomelodged. This disadvantage is particularly noticeable when the fillingmaterial contains very long fibres which wrap themselves around forexample the cross-webs formed by the strainer-like structure, therebyvery rapidly constricting the flow cross-section of the gas barrier thatis in use, and ultimately blocking it. Consequently the known gasbarriers only permit the reliable processing of products with smallsolid particles.

The task of the invention is to propose a filling element which avoidsthis disadvantage. A filling element according to patent claim 1 isconfigured to resolve this object. A filling machine is the subjectmatter of patent claim 15.

In the inventive filling element, the gas barrier associated with the atleast one liquid channel is formed by at least one rod-shaped element.

Here the at least one rod-shaped element reaches into the section of theliquid channel that forms the gas barrier (“second” section) and/or intothe discharge opening and only partly occupies the cross-section of thissection and/or of the discharge opening so that at least a gap forming aflow channel of the gas barrier is left between the at least onerod-shaped element and the inner surface of the section or dischargeopening.

In a preferred embodiment the gas barrier is formed by a plurality orbundle of rod-shaped elements which also reach into the second sectionof the liquid channel and/or into the discharge opening and are alsospaced apart from one another to form flow channels for the gas barrier.

The cross-section of the at least one rod-shaped element and/or thetotal cross-section (sum of the cross-sections of the elements of thebundle) are for example selected so that this cross-section or totalcross-section occupies at least 50% of the inside cross-section of thesecond section and/or of the discharge opening, and/or that thecross-section of each flow channel of the gas barrier is several timessmaller than the effective cross-section of one of the sections of theliquid channel preceding the gas barrier in the direction of flow of thefilling material (“first” section), for example the cross-section ofeach flow channel of the gas barrier is only 3% to 10% of thecross-section of the first section.

Whatever the number of rod-shaped, gas barrier-forming elements, theparticularity of the invention is that the rod-shaped element orrod-shaped elements also extend inside the first section of the liquidchannel which (section) in the direction of flow of the filling materialcomes before the gas barrier and after the liquid valve. Consequentlythe solids present in the filling material such as pulp, fibresincluding fruit fibres etc. encounter no surfaces, regions or structuresin the flow path of the filling material between the liquid valve andthe discharge opening and in particular in this first section of theliquid channel and at the transition to the gas barrier that areoriented square to the main the direction of flow of the fillingmaterial and on which solid constituents can be deposited.

Further embodiments, advantages and possible applications of theinvention arise out of the following description of embodiments and outof the figures. All of the described and/or pictorially representedattributes whether alone or in any desired combination are fundamentallythe subject matter of the invention independently of their synopsis inthe claims or a retroactive application thereof. The content of theclaims is also made an integral part of the description.

The invention is explained hereinbelow by reference to the figures whichshow in simplified depiction a partial section through a filling elementfor filling a liquid filling material or product into containers in theform of bottles.

In the figure, 1 is a filling element of a filling system of a fillingmachine of for example rotary design, which exhibits a plurality offilling elements 1 distributed about the machine axis at equal angulardistances on the periphery of a rotor (not shown) which can be driven torotate about a vertical machine axis.

Filling element 1 is used for the open-jet filling of containers in theform of bottles 2 which during the filling operation are arranged withtheir bottle opening or bottle mouth 2.1 at a distance below fillingelement 1, and with their bottle axis on the same axis as a verticalfilling element axis FA, such that the filling material can flow to therespective bottle 2 in an open vertically oriented jet through bottlemouth 2.1.

Filling element 1 consists essentially of a filling element housing 3which in the depicted embodiment is configured in at least three parts,these being an upper housing part 3.1, a housing part 3.2 adjoining thelatter in the direction of filling element axis FA and a lower annularhousing part 3.3. A liquid channel 4 for the liquid filling material isconfigured in housing parts 3.1 and 3.3. The upper end of liquid channel4 is connected by a filling material line 5 with a container or tankprovided on the filling material machine for delivering the liquidfilling material. The lower end of liquid channel 4 is open and forms adischarge opening 6 which in the depicted embodiment is annular indesign and located inside space 7 that is formed inter alia by annularhousing part 3.3, and at an axial distance from the lower open end ofannular housing part 3.3.

A liquid valve 8 having a valve body 9 configured on a valve stem isprovided in liquid channel 4 for the controlled discharge of the fillingmaterial into respective bottle 2, said liquid valve 8 interacting witha valve face on the inner surface of liquid channel 4 and being movedthrough a given stroke on filling element axis FA to open and close theliquid valve 8, and in the depicted embodiment to open liquid valve 8from the closed position shown in FIG. 1—in which position valve stem 9lies with a seal against the valve face—downwards in the direction offilling element axis FA.

Liquid valve 8 subdivides liquid channel 4 into sections, inter aliainto a section 4.1 directly connected to liquid line 5 upstream ofliquid valve 8 in the direction of flow of the filling material, andinto a section 4.2 downstream of liquid valve 8 in the direction of flowof the filling material, the latter section 4.2 creating inter alia theclearance for the movement of valve stem 9 and being connected via anadjacent section 4.3 of liquid channel 4 with discharge opening 6. Insection 4.3 whose cross-section is less than that of section 4.2 thereis formed a gas barrier generally indicated by the number 10 in FIG. 1and serving to prevent, after liquid valve 8 closes, the fillingmaterial from continuing to flow or drip out of gas barrier 10 and henceout of section 4.2 which is still full of filling material. Thetransition between sections 4.2 and 4.3 is executed steplessly, inparticular also on the inner surface of liquid channel 4.

In the depicted embodiment, gas barrier 10 forms an annular flow channelthat concentrically surrounds filling element axis FA and exhibits aconstant or essentially constant cross-section over its entire axiallength. The axial length of this flow channel corresponds to the axiallength of section 4.3 and is several times greater than the effectivecross-section of the annular flow channel of gas barrier 10.

In the depicted embodiment, the annular flow channel of gas barrier 10is formed by a rod-shaped element 11 which lies on the same axis asfilling element axis FA and which reaches from section 4.2 through intosection 4.3 and extends over the entire axial length of section 4.3 insuch a way that the circular-cylindrical outer surface of element 11 isat a distance from the likewise circular-cylindrical inner surface ofsection 4.3, said distance forming the annular flow channel.

Corresponding to the cross-section of the annular flow channel, theradial distance between the outer surface of element 11 and the innersurface of section 4.3 is several times less than the axial length ofthat section or of gas barrier 10. The distance between the outersurface of element 11 and the inner surface of section 4.3 is forexample approx. 3% to 10% of the axial length of gas barrier 10, beingmatched inter alia to the viscosity of the liquid filling materialand/or to the solid or more solid constituents present in the fillingmaterial.

In the depicted embodiment, section 4.1 and element 11 each exhibit aconstant cross-section over the entire axial length of gas barrier 10.

In the depicted embodiment, element 11 extends through the entiresection 4.2 and is at its upper end connected to valve body 9 ormanufactured with it as a single piece.

Element 11 which protrudes with a sharply tapered lower end out ofdischarge opening 6 is preferably provided on its outer surface with anespecially smooth finish obtained by appropriate machining and/orcoating. The same applies to the inner faces of liquid channel 4, inparticular in the region of section 4.3 and/or of gas barrier 10.

The described configuration entirely avoids any surfaces, elements orstructures that are oriented square to the direction of flow of theliquid filling material in filling material channel 4 in the region ofgas barrier 10, in particular in the region of the transition betweensection 4.2 and gas barrier 10 but also in section 4.2, and on whichconstituents of the filling material clogging gas barrier 10 and/orreducing its cross-section could build up and so lead to a narrowing ofthe flow cross-sections or to a complete blockage of filling element 1.

The connection of element 11 with valve body 9 has the additionaladvantage that during the movement of valve body 9, and in particularthe opening of liquid valve 8, element 11 is also moved downwards sothat any solids that have become lodged in gas barrier 10 in spite ofthe described configuration are loosened and/or dislodged towardsdischarge opening 6 and are entrained by the filling material flowing tobottle 2 through open liquid valve 8.

Space 7 is used in a well known manner for purging filling element 1during a CIP cleaning and/or disinfection of the filling system, duringwhich housing part 3.3 is closed on its open underside by a sealing orpurging cap (not shown). A line 12 for feeding and/or extracting thecleaning and/or disinfection medium opens out into space 7.

FIG. 2 shows as a further embodiment a filling element 1 a which inessence only differs from filling element 1 in that gas barrier 10 a isformed by a plurality or bundle of rod-shaped elements 11 a that extendin the direction of filling element axis FA inside section 4.3 of liquidchannel 4.

Elements 11 a which in the depicted embodiment are again configured ashaving a circular-cylindrical cross-section area and each having aconstant cross-section over their entire length are spaced apart fromone another so that flow channels of gas barrier 10 a are obtained notjust between these elements but also between the bundle of elements 11 aand the inner surface of section 4.3.

The size of the cross-section area of the flow channels is againselected—including in particular as a function of the viscosity and/orof solid constituents in the filling material—so that after liquid valve8 closes the liquid filling material does not continue to flow or dripfrom gas barrier 10 a and from section 4.2 of filling element 1 a, whichsection 4.2 is still filled with this filling material.

Rod-shaped elements 11 a are attached by their upper end to theunderside of valve body 9 facing discharge opening 6, extend through theentire section 4.2 and in the depicted embodiment possess an axiallength such that their lower ends are level with discharge opening 6when liquid valve 8 is closed.

This embodiment too has the advantage that it avoids elements, surfacesor structures which are oriented square to the direction of flow of thefilling material in liquid channel 4 and on which solid or more solidconstituents of the filling material could become lodged, which couldultimately lead to a narrowing of the flow cross-sections and/or to acomplete blockage of filling element 1 a.

With this embodiment the outer surfaces of elements 11 a and the innersurfaces of liquid channel 4, at least in section 4.3, also have aparticularly smooth finish obtained by appropriate surface machiningand/or coating. Through the attaching of elements 11 a to valve body 9,filling element 1 a likewise also has the further advantage that anyconstituents sticking in gas barrier 10 a are moved together withelements 11 a towards discharge opening 6 when liquid valve 8 opens,allowing these constituents to be easily removed from gas barrier 10 awith the liquid filling material.

FIG. 3 shows a simplified partial view of a filling element 1 b which ina filling element housing 13 exhibits liquid channel 14 and liquid valve16 formed by the valve stem with valve body 15. In the direction of flowof the filling material, liquid channel 14 forms upstream of the liquidvalve a section 14.1 which corresponds to section 4.1 and is connectedto the filling machine's container or tank which feeds the fillingmaterial through filling material line 5. Section 14.2 which comes afterliquid valve 16 in the direction of flow of the filling material andwhich corresponds to section 4.2 is connected to the discharge openingnumbered 17 in FIG. 3 which is formed by section 14.3 that correspondsto section 4.3 and through which (discharge opening) the liquid fillingmaterial flows through bottle mouth 2.1 into bottle 2 during the fillingprocess when liquid valve 16 is open.

Section 14.3 which itself exhibits a constant cross-section over itsentire axial length is configured as gas barrier 18 in that, startingfrom section 14.2, a rod-shaped element 19 which reaches into section14.3 and which in the depicted embodiment possesses a constantcross-section over its entire axial length is oriented with its axisparallel to filling element axis FA and is attached in the interior ofsection 14.2 by its end that is furthest from discharge opening 17. Theoutside diameter of element 19 that is for example circular-cylindricalon its outer surface is somewhat less than the cross-section of section14.3 so that gas barrier 18 again presents an annular flow channel.Surfaces, regions or structures which are oriented square to thedirection of flow of the filling material and on which solid or moresolid constituents of the filling material could become lodged therebycausing a narrowing of the flow cross-section or a complete blockage offilling element 1 b are avoided inside section 14.2 at the transitionbetween this section and gas barrier 18 and also inside gas barrier 18.

Filling element 1 b differs from filling elements 1 and 1 a essentiallyin that rod-shaped element 19 forming gas barrier 18 is provided fixedto filling element housing 13, i.e. it does not move together with valvebody 15 of liquid valve 16.

FIG. 4 shows as a further embodiment a filling element 1 c which differsfrom filling element 1 b in that gas barrier 18 a is formed by aplurality or bundle of rod-shaped elements 19 a which in the depictedembodiment present a constant cross-section over their axial length andwhose axes are oriented in an axial direction parallel to fillingelement axis FA. Elements 19 a which are held with their upper ends onfilling element housing 13 and which with their lower ends extendthrough section 14.3 as far as discharge opening 17 are spaced apartfrom one another radially so that a plurality of flow channels forminggas barrier 18 a are formed between these elements as well as betweenthe bundle of elements 19 a and the inner surface of section 14.3. Thecross-section of these channels is in turn adapted to thenature/viscosity and/or the solids content of the liquid fillingmaterial so that when liquid valve 16 is closed, filling material isprevented from continuing to flow or drip out of gas barrier 18 a andout of section 14.2 that is still filled with this filling material.

Whereas in the case of filling elements 1 and 1 a, discharge opening 6is disposed on the same axis as filling element axis FA, dischargeopening 17 of filling elements 1 b and 1 c is radially offset relativeto filling element axis FA.

The invention has been described hereinbefore by reference toembodiments. It goes without saying that numerous variations as well asmodifications are possible without departing from the inventive conceptunderlying the invention.

For example it has been assumed above that the cross-section of elements11, 11 a, 19 and 19 a as well as of sections 4.3 and 14.3 is constantover their entire length. Embodiments are also possible however in whichthe cross-sections change—albeit continuously and/or without steps—overthe length of the elements and/or sections so that surface regions orstructures on which solid constituents could become lodged are avoidedinside respective gas barrier 10, 10 a, 18, 18 a.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1, 1 a-1 c Filling element

2 Bottle

2.1 Bottle mouth

3.1 Bottle mouth

3 Filling element housing

3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Housing part

4 Liquid channel

4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Section of the liquid channel

5 Filling material line

6 Discharge opening

7 Space within the housing part 3.3

8 Liquid valve

9 Valve body

10, 10 a Gas barrier

11, 11 a Rod-shaped element

12 Line

13 Filling element housing

14 Liquid channel

14.1, 14.2, 14.3 Section of the liquid channel 14

15 Valve body

16 Liquid valve

17 Discharge opening

18, 18 a Gas barrier

19, 19 a Rod-shaped element

FA Filling element axis

1-15. (canceled)
 16. An apparatus for filling containers with a liquidfilling material, said apparatus comprising a filling element for afilling machine, said filling element comprising a filling elementhousing having a liquid channel configured therein, said liquid channelforming at least one discharge opening for said liquid filling material,said liquid channel being connected to a source of said liquid fillingmaterial, a liquid valve disposed along said liquid channel forcontrolled discharge of said filling material through a dischargeopening thereof, and a gas barrier that, when said liquid valve isclosed, prevents said filling material from continuing to flow or dripfrom a first section of said liquid channel, said first section beingdisposed downstream from said liquid valve, said gas barrier beingformed from at least one rod-shaped element that extends from said firstsection into a one of a second section of said liquid channel and saiddischarge opening, said gas barrier forming a flow channel having areduced cross-section in said second section of said liquid channel,said reduced cross-section being a cross section that is not occupied bysaid rod-shaped element and that forms said flow channel of said gasbarrier.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said gas barrier isdisposed in said second section of said liquid channel, said secondsection being disposed downstream from said first section in thedirection of flow of said liquid filling material.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein said gas barrier is disposed at said dischargeopening.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said flow channel ofsaid gas barrier has a cross sectional area that is less than a crosssectional area of at least one of said first and second sections of saidliquid channel.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said flow channelof said gas barrier has a length that is less than an axial length ofsaid gas barrier.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said gasbarrier is formed by a bundle of rod-shaped elements that extend insidesaid second section of said liquid channel.
 22. The apparatus of claim21, wherein said rod-shaped elements all have the same axial length. 23.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said gas barrier is formed by abundle of rod-shaped elements that extend inside said discharge opening.24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said gas barrier is formed by asingle rod-shaped element that extends inside said second section ofsaid liquid channel.
 25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said gasbarrier is formed by a single rod-shaped element that extends insidesaid discharge opening.
 26. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said atleast one rod-shaped element extends through said first section of saidliquid channel as far as a surface of said first section of said liquidchannel, said surface being disposed opposite said discharge opening.27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said at least one rod-shapedelement extends through said first section of said liquid channel as faras a valve body of said liquid valve.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26,wherein said at least one rod-shaped element is connected to a valvebody of said liquid valve.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the atleast one rod-shaped element extends as far as a wall delimiting saidliquid channel.
 30. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said flow channelof said gas barrier is formed between said at least one rod-shapedelement and an inner surface of said second section.
 31. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein said flow channel of said gas barrier is formedbetween said at least one rod-shaped element and an inner surface ofsaid second section.
 32. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said gasbarrier is formed by a bundle of rod-shaped elements that extend insidesaid second section of said liquid channel, said rod-shaped elementsbeing spaced apart from each other to form flow channels of said gasbarrier between said rod-shaped elements.
 33. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein said at least one rod-shaped element has an envelope shaped likea circular cylinder.
 34. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said atleast one rod-shaped element is finished with a smooth surface.
 35. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein said second section of said liquidchannel comprises a wall that is finished with a smooth surface.
 36. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one rod-shaped elementprotrudes from said discharge opening.
 37. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein a tapering end of said at least one rod-shaped element protrudesfrom said discharge opening.
 38. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein afree end of said at least one rod-shaped element is arranged to be levelwith said discharge opening when said liquid valve is closed.
 39. Anapparatus for filling containers with a liquid filling material, saidapparatus comprising a rotor configured to rotate about a verticalmachine axis, and a plurality of filling elements provided on saidrotor, each of said filling elements comprising a filling elementhousing having a liquid channel configured therein, said liquid channelforming at least one discharge opening for said liquid filling material,said liquid channel being connected to a source of said liquid fillingmaterial, a liquid valve disposed along said liquid channel forcontrolled discharge of said filling material through a dischargeopening thereof, and a gas barrier that, when said liquid valve isclosed, prevents said filling material from continuing to flow or dripfrom a first section of said liquid channel, said first section beingdisposed downstream from said liquid valve, said gas barrier beingformed from at least one rod-shaped element that extends from said firstsection into a one of a second section of said liquid channel and saiddischarge opening, said gas barrier forming a flow channel having areduced cross-section in said second section of said liquid channel,said reduced cross-section being a cross section that is not occupied bysaid rod-shaped element and that forms said flow channel of said gasbarrier.